The survivors’ pensions are paid to persons who have lost a spouse, former spouse or parent (father/mother). Entitlement to a survivor’s pension starts on the first day of the month following the death.
General conditions of eligibility for receiving a survivor’s pension:
An OASI survivor’s pension is payable if:
- The deceased has paid contributions for at least one year, or
- The deceased qualifies for one year of parental or care credits, or
- The deceased’s spouse has paid at least twice the minimum contribution.
There are three types of survivors’ pensions:
Widow’s pension
Conditions for a married woman:
- you have a child (minor and/or adult) at the time of being widowed or
- you are at least 45 years old at the time of your spouse’s death and you have been married for at least 5 years. If you have been married more than once, the years of marriage will be added together
Conditions for a divorced woman:
- you have a child (minor and/or adult) and the marriage lasted for at least 10 years or
- you were over the age of 45 at the time of the divorce and the marriage lasted for at least 10 years or
- you are over the age of 45 when the youngest child turns 18 or
- if you have a minor child, you are entitled to the pension until the youngest child reaches the age of 18
If you remarry, you are no longer entitled to a widow’s pension.
Widower’s pension
Conditions for a married man:
- widowhood occurred after 11 October 2022 and you have a child who is minor and/or adult at the time of widowhood
- widowhood occurred before 11 October 2022 and you have a child who was under the age of 18 on 11 October 2022
Condition for a divorced man:
- see this page of the OFAS (in French) Rentes de veuf de l’AVS : arrêt de la CEDH
If you remarry, you are no longer entitled to a widower’s pension.
Orphan’s pension
Conditions for an orphan's pension:
- the deceased parent paid OASI contributions for at least one year
- the child is under the age of 18
- the child is between 18 and 25 and in training, studying or doing an apprenticeship
Last modification 03.04.2025